MANAGEMENT CONTRACT between VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND: STOCK SELECTOR ALL CAP PORTFOLIO and
between
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND:
STOCK SELECTOR ALL CAP PORTFOLIO
and
FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH COMPANY LLC
AGREEMENT made this 21st day of July, 2021, by and between Variable Insurance Products Fund, a Massachusetts business trust which may issue one or more series of shares of beneficial interest (hereinafter called the “Trust”), on behalf of Stock Selector All Cap Portfolio (hereinafter called the “Fund”), and Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (hereinafter called the “Adviser”) as set forth in its entirety below.
1.
(a)
Investment Advisory Services. The Adviser undertakes to act as investment adviser of the Fund and shall, subject to the supervision of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, direct the investments of the Fund in accordance with the investment objective, policies and limitations as provided in the Fund’s Prospectus or other governing instruments, as amended from time to time, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and rules thereunder, as amended from time to time (the “1940 Act”), and such other limitations as the Fund may impose by notice in writing to the Adviser. The Adviser shall also furnish for the use of the Fund office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and personnel for servicing the investments of the Fund; and shall pay the salaries and fees of all officers of the Trust, of all Trustees of the Trust who are “interested persons” of the Trust or of the Adviser and of all personnel of the Trust or the Adviser performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities. The Adviser is authorized, in its discretion and without prior consultation with the Fund, to buy, sell, lend and otherwise trade in any stocks, bonds and other securities and investment instruments on behalf of the Fund. The investment policies and all other actions of the Fund are and shall at all times be subject to the control and direction of the Trust’s Board of Trustees.
(b)
Management Services. The Adviser shall perform (or arrange for the performance by its affiliates of) the management and administrative services necessary for the operation of the Trust. The Adviser shall, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, perform various services for the Fund, including but not limited to: (i) providing the Fund with office space, equipment and facilities (which may be its own) for maintaining its organization; (ii) on behalf of the Fund, supervising relations with, and monitoring the performance of, custodians, depositories, transfer and pricing agents, accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and dealers, insurers and other persons in any capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable; (iii) preparing all general shareholder communications, including shareholder reports; (iv) conducting shareholder relations; (v) maintaining the Trust’s existence and its records; (vi) during such times as shares are publicly offered, maintaining the registration and qualification of the Fund’s shares under federal and state law; and (vii) investigating the development of and developing and implementing, if appropriate, management and shareholder services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fund as an investment vehicle.
The Adviser shall also furnish such reports, evaluations, information or analyses to the Trust as the Trust’s Board of Trustees may request from time to time or as the Adviser may deem to be desirable. The Adviser shall make recommendations to the Trust’s Board of Trustees with respect to the Trust’s policies, and shall carry out such policies as are adopted by the Trustees. The Adviser shall, subject to review by the Board of Trustees, furnish such other services as the Adviser shall from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to perform its obligations under this Contract.
(c)
The Adviser shall place all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the Fund’s account with brokers or dealers selected by the Adviser, which may include brokers or dealers affiliated with the Adviser. The Adviser shall use its best efforts to seek to execute portfolio transactions at prices which are advantageous to the Fund and at commission rates which are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In selecting brokers or dealers qualified to execute a particular transaction, brokers or dealers may be selected who also provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which the Adviser or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. The Adviser is authorized to pay a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for the Fund which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer. This determination may be viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities which the Adviser and its affiliates have with respect to accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. The Trustees of the Trust shall periodically review the commissions paid by the Fund to determine if the commissions paid over representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund.
The Adviser shall, in acting hereunder, be an independent contractor. The Adviser shall not be an agent of the Fund.
2.
It is understood that the Trustees, officers and shareholders of the Trust are or may be or become interested in the Adviser as directors, officers or otherwise and that directors, officers and stockholders of the Adviser are or may be or become similarly interested in the Trust, and that the Adviser may be or become interested in the Trust as a shareholder or otherwise.
3.
The Adviser will be compensated on the following basis for the services and facilities to be furnished hereunder. The Adviser shall receive a monthly management fee, payable monthly as soon as practicable after the last day of each month, composed of a Basic Fee and a Performance Adjustment. Except as otherwise provided in sub-paragraph (e) of this paragraph 3, the Performance Adjustment is added to or subtracted from the Basic Fee depending on whether the Fund experienced better or worse performance than an appropriate index (the “Index”). The Performance Adjustment is not cumulative. An increased fee will result even though the performance of the Fund over some period of time shorter than the performance period has been behind that of the Index, and, conversely, a reduction in the fee will be made for a month even though the performance of the Fund over some period of time shorter than the performance period has been ahead of that of the Index. The Basic Fee and the Performance Adjustment will be computed as follows:
(a)
Basic Fee Rate: The annual Basic Fee Rate shall be the sum of the Group Fee Rate and the Individual Fund Fee Rate calculated to the nearest millionth decimal place as follows:
(i) Group Fee Rate. The Group Fee Rate shall be based upon the monthly average of the net assets of the registered investment companies included on Master Schedule A to Management Contracts, as may be updated from time to time, which is hereby incorporated by reference to this Agreement, (computed in the manner set forth in the Trust’s Declaration of Trust or other organizational document) determined as of the close of business on each business day throughout the month. The Group Fee Rate shall be determined on a cumulative basis pursuant to the following schedule:
| Average Group | Annualized |
| 0 - $3 billion | .5200% |
| 3 - 6 | .4900 |
| 6 - 9 | .4600 |
| 9 - 12 | .4300 |
| 12 - 15 | .4000 |
| 15 - 18 | .3850 |
| 18 - 21 | .3700 |
| 21 - 24 | .3600 |
| 24 - 30 | .3500 |
| 30 - 36 | .3450 |
| 36 - 42 | .3400 |
| 42 - 48 | .3350 |
| 48 - 66 | .3250 |
| 66 - 84 | .3200 |
| 84 - 102 | .3150 |
| 102 - 138 | .3100 |
| 138 - 174 | .3050 |
| 174 - 210 | .3000 |
| 210 - 246 | .2950 |
| 246 - 282 | .2900 |
| 282 - 318 | .2850 |
| 318 - 354 | .2800 |
| 354 - 390 | .2750 |
| 390 - 426 | .2700 |
| 426 - 462 | .2650 |
| 462 - 498 | .2600 |
| 498 - 534 | .2550 |
| 534 - 587 | .2500 |
| 587 - 646 | .2463 |
| 646 - 711 | .2426 |
| 711 - 782 | .2389 |
| 782 - 860 | .2352 |
| 860 - 946 | .2315 |
| 946 - 1,041 | .2278 |
| 1,041 - 1,145 | .2241 |
| 1,145 - 1,260 | .2204 |
| 1,260 - 1,386 | .2167 |
| 1,386 - 1,525 | .2130 |
| 1,525 - 1,677 | .2093 |
| 1,677 - 1,845 1,845 - 2,030 | .2056 .2019 |
| over 2,030 | .1982 |
(ii) Individual Fund Fee Rate. The Individual Fund Fee Rate shall be 0.30%.
(b)
Basic Fee. One-twelfth of the Basic Fee Rate shall be applied to the average of the net assets of the Fund (computed in the manner set forth in the Trust’s Declaration of Trust or other organizational document) determined as of the close of business on each business day throughout the month. The resulting dollar amount comprises the Basic Fee.
(c)
Performance Adjustment Rate: Except as otherwise provided in sub-paragraph (e) of this paragraph 3, the Performance Adjustment Rate is 0.02% for each percentage point (the performance of the Fund and the Index each being calculated to the nearest 0.01%) that the Fund’s investment performance for the performance period was better or worse than the record of the Index as then constituted. The maximum performance adjustment rate is 0.20%.
For purposes of calculating the performance adjustment of the Fund, the Fund’s investment performance will be based on the performance of the Investor Class.
The performance period will commence with the first day of the first full month following the Investor Class’s commencement of operations. During the first eleven months of the performance period for the Investor Class, there will be no performance adjustment. Starting with the twelfth month of the performance period, the performance adjustment will take effect. Following the twelfth month a new month will be added to the performance period until the performance period equals 36 months. Thereafter the performance period will consist of the current month plus the previous 35 months.
The Fund’s investment performance will be measured by comparing (i) the opening net asset value of one share of the Investor Class of the Fund on the first business day of the performance period with (ii) the closing net asset value of one share of the Investor Class of the Fund as of the last business day of such period. In computing the investment performance of the Investor Class of the Fund and the investment record of the Index, distributions of realized capital gains, the value of capital gains taxes per share paid or payable on undistributed realized long-term capital gains accumulated to the end of such period and dividends paid out of investment income on the part of the Fund, and all cash distributions of the securities included in the Index, will be treated as reinvested in accordance with Rule 205-1 or any other applicable rules under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as the same from time to time may be amended.
(d)
Performance Adjustment. One-twelfth of the annual Performance Adjustment Rate will be applied to the average of the net assets of the Fund (computed in the manner set forth in the Trust’s Declaration of Trust or other organizational document) determined as of the close of business on each business day throughout the month and the performance period.
(e)
The Index shall be the MSCI U.S. Investable Market 2500 Index. Subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as modified by or interpreted by any applicable order or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) or any rules or regulations adopted by, or interpretative releases of, the Commission, the Trustees may designate an alternative appropriate index for purposes of calculating the Performance Adjustment (the “Successor Index”) as provided in this sub-paragraph. For the 35 month period commencing on the first day of the month following such designation (or such other date as agreed by the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Adviser) (the “Transition Period”), the Performance Adjustment Rate shall be calculated by comparing the Fund’s investment performance against the blended investment records of the Successor Index and the index used to calculate the Fund’s Performance Adjustment prior to the Transition Period (the “Prior Index”), such calculation being performed as follows:
For the first month of the Transition Period, the Performance Adjustment Rate shall be calculated by comparing the Investor Class of the Fund’s investment performance over the 36 month performance period against a blended index investment record that reflects the investment record of the Prior Index for the first 35 months of the performance period and the investment record of the Successor Index for the 36th month of the performance period. For each subsequent month of the Transition Period, the Performance Adjustment Rate shall be calculated by comparing the Investor Class of the Fund’s investment performance over the 36 month performance period against a blended index investment record that reflects one additional month of the Successor Index’s performance and one less month of the Prior Index’s performance. This calculation methodology shall continue until the expiration of the Transition Period, at which time the investment record of the Prior Index shall be eliminated from the Performance Adjustment calculation, and the Successor Index shall become the Index for purposes of calculating the Performance Adjustment.
(f)
In case of termination of this Contract during any month, the fee for that month shall be reduced proportionately on the basis of the number of business days during which it is in effect for that month. The Basic Fee Rate will be computed on the basis of and applied to net assets averaged over that month ending on the last business day on which this Contract is in effect. The amount of this Performance Adjustment to the Basic Fee will be computed on the basis of and applied to net assets averaged over the 36-month period ending on the last business day on which this Contract is in effect provided that if this Contract has been in effect less than 36 months, the computation will be made on the basis of the period of time during which it has been in effect.
4.
It is understood that the Fund will pay all its expenses, which expenses payable by the Fund shall include, without limitation, (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other costs in connection with the purchase or sale of securities and other investment instruments; (iii) fees and expenses of the Trust’s Trustees other than those who are “interested persons” of the Trust or the Adviser; (iv) legal and audit expenses; (v) custodian, registrar and transfer agent fees and expenses; (vi) fees and expenses related to the registration and qualification of the Trust and the Fund’s shares for distribution under state and federal securities laws; (vii) expenses of printing and mailing reports and notices and proxy material to shareholders of the Fund; (viii) all other expenses incidental to holding meetings of the Fund’s shareholders, including proxy solicitations therefor; (ix) its proportionate share of insurance premiums; (x) its proportionate share of association membership dues; (xi) expenses of typesetting for printing Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information and supplements thereto; (xii) expenses of printing and mailing Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information and supplements thereto sent to existing shareholders; and (xiii) such non-recurring or extraordinary expenses as may arise, including those relating to actions, suits or proceedings to which the Fund is a party and the legal obligation which the Fund may have to indemnify the Trust’s Trustees and officers with respect thereto.
5.
The services of the Adviser to the Fund are not to be deemed exclusive, the Adviser being free to render services to others and engage in other activities, provided, however, that such other services and activities do not, during the term of this Contract, interfere, in a material manner, with the Adviser’s ability to meet all of its obligations with respect to rendering services to the Fund hereunder. In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of obligations or duties hereunder on the part of the Adviser, the Adviser shall not be subject to liability to the Fund or to any shareholder of the Fund for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security or other investment instrument.
6.
(a)
Subject to prior termination as provided in sub-paragraph (d) of this paragraph 6, this Contract shall continue in force until May 31, 2023 and indefinitely thereafter, but only so long as the continuance after such date shall be specifically approved at least annually by vote of the Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
(b)
This Contract may be modified by mutual consent subject to the provisions of Section 15 of the 1940 Act, as modified by or interpreted by any applicable order or orders of the Commission or any rules or regulations adopted by, or interpretative releases or no-action letters of, the Commission or its staff.
(c)
In addition to the requirements of sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of this paragraph 6, the terms of any continuance or modification of this Contract must have been approved by the vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to the Contract or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval (to the extent required by the 1940 Act).
(d)
Either party hereto may, at any time on sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other, terminate this Contract, without payment of any penalty, by action of its Trustees or Board of Directors, as the case may be, or with respect to the Fund by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. This Contract shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
7.
The Adviser is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of shareholder liability as set forth in the Trust’s Declaration of Trust or other organizational documents and agrees that the obligations assumed by the Trust pursuant to this Contract shall be limited in all cases to the Fund and its assets, and the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders or any shareholder of the Fund or any other Funds of the Trust. In addition, the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligations from the Trustees or any individual Trustee. The Adviser understands that the rights and obligations of any Fund under the Declaration of Trust or other organizational document are separate and distinct from those of any and all other Funds.
8.
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the choice of laws provisions thereof.
The terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “assignment,” and “interested persons,” when used herein, shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, and subject to such orders or no-action letters as may be granted by the Commission or its staff.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have caused this instrument to be signed in their behalf by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, and their respective seals to be hereunto affixed, all as of the date written above.
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| | on behalf of Stock Selector All Cap Portfolio | |
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| | By | /s/Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx |
| | | Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx |
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| | FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH COMPANY LLC | |
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| By | /s/Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
| | | Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
